Smart Brings Philippine International Challenge 2026 Closer to Badminton Fans via PusoP.com

Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) is bringing the excitement of the Philippine International Challenge 2026 closer to fans nationwide through PusoP.com, where selected elimination-round matches and all final matches will be streamed live and free.

Set from July 28 to August 2 at Gameville Central Park, Mandaluyong, the tournament will bring together 220 athletes from 28 countries in one of the country's premier international badminton events.

Hosted and organized by the Philippine Badminton Association (PBAD), the competition highlights the Philippines' growing presence in the international badminton community while providing local athletes the opportunity to compete against top global talent on home soil.

Smart and the MVP Sports Foundation (MVPSF) are supporting the tournament as part of their commitment to sports development and athlete excellence. The support also reflects the long-standing passion of PLDT Chairman Manuel V. Pangilinan for badminton, a sport that remains close to his heart and one he has championed through the years.

PusoP.com, Smart's digital sports platform, continues to make Philippine sports more accessible by bringing fans closer to athletes, teams, and sporting moments that inspire the nation.

"Sports play an important role in nation-building. It teaches discipline, resilience, and teamwork, while bringing communities together behind a common goal," said Jude Turcuato, FVP and Head of Sports at PLDT and Smart. "Through our support for the Philippine International Challenge and platforms like PusoP.com, we are helping make world-class badminton more accessible to Filipinos, inspiring more young people to embrace the sport and creating opportunities for the next generation of athletes to pursue excellence."

As the national governing body for badminton, PBAD continues to strengthen pathways for athletes through grassroots programs, youth development initiatives, and international competitions. The Philippine International Challenge serves as a key platform for elevating local talent and showcasing the country's ability to host world-class sporting events.

"This tournament is an important opportunity for our athletes and for the growth of badminton in the country," said Shawntel Nicole Nieto, Secretary General of PBAD. "By bringing together players from around the world, we provide valuable international exposure for Filipino athletes while inspiring more young people to take up the sport. We are grateful to the MVP Sports Foundation, Smart, and our partners for helping us strengthen the future of Philippine badminton."

The momentum continues after the international tournament with the PBAD Juniors Tournament from August 4 to 9, also at Gameville Central Park, giving the country's rising stars a chance to compete and gain valuable experience.

Through the leadership of PBAD, the support of Smart and MVPSF, and the reach of PusoP.com, the Philippine International Challenge 2026 is helping grow the sport, expand opportunities for Filipino athletes, and bring world-class badminton closer to fans across the country.

Vivo Philippines Brings Scotty Pippen Jr. and Scottie Thompson Together for Exclusive Fan Meet-and-Greet

MANILA, Philippines – Basketball fans in the Philippines are in for a special treat as Vivo Philippines prepares to host an exclusive meet-and-greet featuring Memphis Grizzlies guard Scotty Pippen Jr. and PBA Most Valuable Player and Gilas Pilipinas star Scottie Thompson. The highly anticipated event will take place on July 30 from 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM at the Vivo Concept Store in SM Megamall, marking the first time the brand has brought together an NBA player and a PBA standout for a single fan experience.

The event promises an exciting afternoon filled with basketball stories, interactive on-stage conversations, fan engagement activities, and exclusive opportunities for attendees to meet both athletes in person. By bringing together two accomplished point guards from different levels of professional basketball, Vivo aims to celebrate the sport's ability to unite communities and inspire fans.

"Basketball has always been one of the strongest passions shared by Filipinos, and we're excited to bring together two athletes whose journeys resonate with fans in different ways," said Liu Lu, Brand Marketing Director of Vivo Philippines.

"This event is about giving fans a chance to connect with the game they love through meaningful experiences while celebrating the spirit of basketball that unites communities around the world," she added.

To make the experience accessible to more fans, Vivo Philippines is giving basketball enthusiasts the chance to win exclusive access to the meet-and-greet. Lucky winners will receive a signed event poster and the opportunity to personally meet Scotty Pippen Jr. and Scottie Thompson at the Vivo Concept Store.

Joining the giveaway is simple. Fans only need to follow Vivo Philippines on Facebook, comment "Vivo Meet & Greet with Scotty" on the official Facebook post, and include the hashtags #vivoxNBA, #ScottyPippenJrinManila2026, and #vivoX300Ultra.

Fans who cannot attend the event in person won't have to miss out. Vivo Philippines will livestream the event on its official Facebook page on July 31 from 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM. During the livestream, viewers can also participate in a separate giveaway for a chance to win exclusive NBA merchandise by commenting "Vivo Meet & Greet with Scotty" and using the same official hashtags.

The event will also showcase the Vivo X300 Ultra, the company's flagship smartphone featuring Triple ZEISS Master Lenses, designed to capture everything from fast-paced sporting action to stunning portraits and everyday moments with exceptional clarity.

Whether attending in person or tuning in online, basketball fans can look forward to an unforgettable celebration of the game while connecting with two athletes who continue to inspire fans both locally and internationally. For more updates and announcements, follow Vivo Philippines on its official social media channels.

LG and Imperial Appliance Plaza Bring Laundry Love to Earthquake-Affected Families in General Santos City

In times of disaster, even simple daily tasks can become major challenges. Recognizing this need, LG Electronics, in partnership with Imperial Appliance Plaza, brought comfort and practical assistance to families affected by the recent earthquake in General Santos City through its Laundry Love community initiative.

The five-day activation took place from July 13 to 17 at the Barangay Hall in Purok Estrella, Barangay Calumpang, where residents were given free access to LG's advanced washing machines and dryers. The initiative aimed to help families focus on rebuilding their lives by easing one of the most essential household responsibilities—laundry.

Over the course of the program, 310 families benefited from the service, with approximately 2,544 kilograms of laundry washed and dried free of charge. For many affected residents, the program provided more than clean clothes—it offered convenience, dignity, and a sense of normalcy during a difficult period of recovery.

Laundry often becomes a secondary concern following natural disasters, as families prioritize food, shelter, and safety. However, access to clean clothing and linens plays a significant role in maintaining hygiene, preventing illness, and improving overall well-being. Through Laundry Love, LG addressed this overlooked need while demonstrating how technology can make a meaningful difference in local communities.

The initiative showcased LG's commitment to using innovation beyond the home. By making its high-performance washing and drying technologies available in shared community spaces, the company ensures that its products serve not only consumers but also communities facing unexpected hardships. The partnership with Imperial Appliance Plaza further strengthened the effort, enabling the program to reach more families efficiently.

Residents expressed gratitude for the support, highlighting how the free laundry service helped reduce both financial and emotional stress during the recovery process. Instead of worrying about finding laundry facilities or spending limited resources on washing clothes, families were able to focus on restoring their homes and caring for loved ones.

The success of Laundry Love in General Santos City demonstrates the importance of collaboration between private companies and local communities during times of crisis. Programs like these show that corporate social responsibility extends beyond donations, creating direct and meaningful impact where it is needed most.

As communities continue their journey toward recovery, initiatives such as Laundry Love serve as reminders that compassion, innovation, and community partnerships can make everyday challenges easier to overcome. Through thoughtful programs that address practical needs, LG and Imperial Appliance Plaza continue to prove that technology can be a powerful force for hope, resilience, and positive change.

Alsons Dev, Khan Academy Bring Personalized Digital Learning to Davao Public Schools

Alsons Development and Investment Corporation (Alsons Dev) is expanding access to technology-enabled learning through its partnership with Khan Academy Philippines under the Department of Education's (DepEd) Adopt-a-School Program, providing public elementary schools in Davao City with digital learning tools, internet connectivity, and teacher support to enhance classroom learning.

The initiative was officially launched through a series of Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) and Deed of Donation signings held at Tugbok Central Elementary School on July 14, 2026, followed by signings at T. Awad Echevarria Elementary School and Paradise Embac Elementary School on July 15, 2026. The ceremonies brought together representatives from Alsons Dev, the Conrado and Ladislawa Alcantara Foundation, Inc., Khan Academy Philippines, DepEd Region XI, local government units, as well as school administrators. A total of 128 tablets were formally turned over to the three beneficiary schools, followed by demonstrations of the Khan Academy platform.

More than providing devices, Alsons Dev is also funding three years of internet connectivity, teacher training, and implementation support, ensuring partner schools have the resources and guidance needed to effectively integrate the Khan Academy platform into classroom instruction.

Khan Academy Philippines President and CEO, Atty. Geraldine Acuña-Sunshine, emphasized the importance of partnerships in expanding access to quality education, "At Khan Academy Philippines, we believe every learner deserves access to quality education, regardless of circumstance. While we provide free learning resources, support from private organizations like Alsons Dev plays a vital role in helping schools overcome barriers to implementation and create more opportunities for students to reach their full potential."

Through Khan Academy's personalized online learning platform, students gain free access to instructional videos and practice exercises in Math, Science, and English, with lessons aligned to the DepEd curriculum. Teachers and school administrators can also monitor student progress through a built-in dashboard.

"We believe education creates opportunities that shape a young person's future. Through this partnership, we hope to strengthen learning in our public schools by giving students access to the tools and resources they need to learn, grow, and pursue their aspirations. By investing in young learners today, we are helping build stronger communities for generations to come," said Alsons Dev President and CEO Miguel Rene A. Dominguez.

The three-year initiative marks the beginning of a long-term effort to make digital learning more accessible and engaging in public schools. It reflects Alsons Dev's commitment to enriching lives by creating opportunities for people and communities to thrive.

For more information on Alsons Dev’s community initiatives, visit www.alsonsdev.com.

Globe, KDDI Partner to Explore Growth Opportunities in Mobile and Transform Retail Experience in the Philippines

Globe has entered into a strategic partnership with KDDI Corporation, one of Japan’s leading telecommunications and digital services companies, to explore new growth opportunities in mobile services and retail experience transformation in the Philippines.

The partnership marks a new chapter in Globe’s customer experience journey. Two years after rationalizing parts of its physical retail footprint as more customers shifted to digital channels, Globe is now looking ahead: not simply to reopen or expand stores, but to reinvent what the retail experience can become in a more digital, connected, and customer-led era.

"Globe has always believed that growth goes hand in hand with elevating our overall customer experience philosophy,” said Carl Cruz, President and CEO of Globe. “This strategic partnership with KDDI allows us to learn from one of the world’s most advanced telco and digital ecosystems, while bringing Globe’s deep understanding of the Filipino customer to the table. Together, we aim to explore new ways to make mobile services more relevant, retail experiences more seamless, and digital solutions more responsive to the evolving needs of Filipinos. As we look toward 2027 and beyond, our goal is to create value that goes beyond connectivity and helps build a stronger, more inclusive digital ecosystem for the country."

Through the collaboration, Globe and KDDI will explore how KDDI’s experience in Japan, including recurring revenue models that connect telecommunications with financial, entertainment, lifestyle, and other digital services, can complement Globe’s scale, market reach, and established customer relationships across its broad mobile base of approximately 67 million customers.

As an initial step, Globe and KDDI are jointly exploring an initiative to expand Globe’s retail footprint and innovate on its retail experience. The effort seeks to reimagine how stores can serve customers in a market where digital adoption continues to accelerate, but where human connection, guidance, and trusted support remain essential.

For Globe, the partnership is disruptive as it transforms ways for customers to experience the brand and build a digital ecosystem that delivers greater value, convenience, and care. This direction aligns with the company’s broader brand repositioning as a company focused not only on connectivity, but on creating more meaningful, integrated, and empowering experiences for customers.